Release Detail

October 26, 2000 - Bush Cuts Gore Lead In Half In New Jersey
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Voters Say Gore Is Better On Most Issues

Vice President Al Gore has a 47 - 41 percent lead over Texas Gov. George W. Bush among
New Jersey likely voters, with 1 percent for Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan and 4 percent
for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today.

An October 2 poll of New Jersey likely voters by the independent Quinnipiac University
showed Gore with a 50 - 36 percent lead.

From October 18 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 909 New Jersey likely voters, with
a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percent.

"Bush had a good October and Gore had a lousy month. In a close race, it comes down
to which way the undecided and independent voters break. So far, Gore is winning the
independent vote. Bush did better than expected in the debates and he's gone from a tie with
male voters to a 15-point lead since October 2," said Quinnipiac University Political Science
Professor Scott McLean.

"Gore's favorability has dropped, 16 points among men and 11 points among women.
At the same time, Bush's favorability has gone up 18 points with men, while women still give
him a negative 8-point favorability."

Gore's favorability among New Jersey likely voters is 42 - 37 percent, with 21 percent
mixed and 1 percent saying they haven't heard enough to form an opinion. This is down from
Gore's 49 - 31 favorability in the October 2 Quinnipiac University poll.

Bush's favorability is 41 -35 percent, with 24 percent mixed. This is even with Gore's
and up from Bush's 36 - 38 favorability October 2.

Asked to list the national priorities on which they would like the next President to
concentrate, and allowed to give more than one answer, New Jersey likely voters say:

Elderly issues -- 42 percent;

Education -- 39 percent;

Foreign policy -- 38 percent;

Health care -- 29 percent;

The economy -- 19 percent;

Taxes -- 18 percent.

New Jersey likely voters say Gore does better than Bush on key issues:

47 - 41 percent on education;

49 - 38 percent on health care;

47 - 40 percent on Social Security;

45 - 39 percent on the economy;

54 - 36 percent on foreign affairs;

51 - 28 percent on prescription drugs for the elderly;

Voters say 46 - 40 percent that Bush does a better job on taxes.

"Voters say Gore does a better job on almost every issue which they consider important.
So why is he slipping? Right now voters are more concerned about Gore's lack of honesty than
Bush's lack of knowledge," Dr. McLean said.

"It is interesting that the Middle East situation has raised voter focus on foreign policy
and those who care most about foreign affairs see Bush as equally capable."

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.

10. If the election for President were being held today and the candidates
were Al Gore the Democrat, George W. Bush the Republican, Pat Buchanan the
Reform Party candidate and Ralph Nader the Green Party candidate for whom
would you vote?

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Gore 47% 6% 89% 46% 37% 55%
Bush 41 89 4 33 52 31

Buchanan 1 1 - 1 1 -
Nader 4 1 2 6 4 3

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 1 -
DK/NA 7 2 5 14 5 9

11. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind
before the election?

... Likely Voters ....
Gore Bush
Voters Voters

Made up 82% 89%

Might change 18 10

DK/NA - 1

12. Would you describe your support for Gore/Bush as strongly favoring him,
or do you like Gore/Bush but with reservations, or do you support Gore/Bush
because you dislike the other candidates?

... Likely Voters ....
Gore Bush
Voters Voters

Strongly favor 54% 63%

Like with reservations 34 28

Dislike other
candidate 11 8

DK/NA 1 1

14. Regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the things that you
like most about Al Gore and George Bush?